Visiting Observer Program

To request the opportunity to observe please complete the intake form.

The following categories are generally allowed under the Visiting Observer policy:

• Domestic Physicians, International Physicians, or Healthcare Professionals interested in observing procedures and clinical care for educational purposes
• Non-Stanford clinical housestaff interested in observing clinical care and procedures (please note that the visiting observership cannot be to fulfill their training program educational requirement)
• 2^nd and 3^rd year medical students currently enrolled in a non-Stanford medical school that are interested in observing care (this excludes visiting medical students at Stanford for medical education training related to a clerkship or externship)
• Stanford University students
• Domestic high school students that are age 18 or over

Visiting Observers may participate in an observation period of up to 30 days within a 12-month period. Even if the total time on-site is less than 30 days, it will be counted as a full 30-day observership. Each day the observer is present, regardless of the number of hours (including part days), is counted as one full day. If a Visiting Observer wishes to participate in an additional observership, the start date of the next appointment must be at least 365 days after the completion of the initial 30-day period.

The dates for the observership will be determined by mutual agreement between the host and the prospective visiting observer. Our housestaff and clerkship programs will take priority if there are overlapping requests for the same dates and subspecialty.

To begin the approval process, you must first complete the preapproval intake form. If your preapproval is accepted and a faculty sponsor and dates of the visit have been determined, you will begin the process of the Visiting Observership appointment. All documents must be in English and include evidence of both the dates and results. The visiting observer form cannot be accepted without all the required documents submitted. The request form will not be processed until the program coordinator receives everything needed. The following documents are required to be uploaded with the form.

• CV
• Photograph
• Immunization Records: Varicella (positive titer or 2 vaccines), MMR (positive titer or 2 vaccines), COVID-19, Tuberculosis (TB) test (must be done within one year of the visit; one QuantiFERON test or two Tuberculin Skin Tests), Flu vaccine
• Official Medical School Transcripts

Once the visiting observer form is submitted, the program coordinator will complete a visiting observer request form which will be submitted to the compliance department to initiate the approval process. The approval process includes:

• Approval from the Stanford Hospital and Clinics (SHC) compliance department
• Medical clearance from SHC Workforce Health and Wellness

The approval process begins once the request form is submitted and may take up to 6 weeks.

No, Stanford does not provide a visa or housing for visiting observers. It is the responsibility of the visiting observer to arrange their own visa and accommodations.